School of Business

Legal Studies

Gwen Seaquist, Professor and Coordinator

Legal studies offers both a major and a minor. In either, students have the opportunity to become familiar with legal ideas, legal institutions, and the legal process from the perspectives of multiple disciplines. Within the context of a growing literature in this field, students learn a variety of research and methodological approaches that enable them to understand and evaluate how the law works, as well as its underlying policies. Legal studies is premised on the belief that the study of law and justice necessarily incorporates a broad range of academic disciplines, and that its pursuit will encourage sustained reflection on fundamental values, as well as critical analysis of human behavior and institutions.

The major in legal studies is not intended as a substitute or as a preparation for any part of a law school curriculum, nor does it provide a paralegal certificate. The curriculum incorporates an interdisciplinary approach that prepares students for the complex lives they will lead, which assuredly will include law as an underpinning, even if the law is not a career choice.

Students graduating in legal studies are particularly well qualified to pursue graduate work on legal topics in humanities and social science disciplines or to attend professional school in fields such as teaching, public policy, business and health administration, social work, and law. Legal studies graduates find employment in both the public and private sectors.

Requirements for the Major in Legal Studies -- B.A.

Group 1: required courses

LGST 32300

Legal Research Seminar

3

LGST 40200

Capstone Course

3

LGST 49800

Internship: Legal Studies

3

POLT 12300

Political Justice

3

TVR 12300

Law and the Media

3

SPCM 11000

Public Communication or

3

SPCM 11500

Business and Professional Communication

3

SPCM 12400

Courtrooms and Communications

3

WRTG 1xxxx

Writing

3-4

WRTG 20100

Persuasive Argument or

3

SPCM 21500

Argument and Debate

3

PHIL 21200

Introduction to Ethics

3

PHIL 26500

Philosophical Problems in Law

3

GBUS 20300

The Legal Environment of Business I

3

GBUS 20400

The Legal Environment of Business II or

3

GBUS 30700

Commercial Law

3

GBUS 32400

Alternative Dispute Resolution

3

POLT 31000

Supreme Court in U.S. Politics

3

POLT 30300

Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties

3

Total, required courses

48-49

Group 2: applied law electives

Applied law courses teach you the "black letter" law in the particular subject area. The instructors are practicing attorneys with special expertise in this area of law, so you will learn the most recent and relevant aspects of the law.

Select 6 credits from the applied law elective list on the website for legal studies.Legal Studies Website

Total, applied law electives

6

Group 3: social, political, ethical, and cultural electives

These courses provide a unique perspective on the law through an examination of the various social, political, philosophical, and sociological factors that shape the evolution and application of law in our society.

Select 6 credits from the social, political, ethical, and cultural elective list on the website for legal studies.Legal Studies Website

Legal Studies Minor

The purpose of the minor in legal studies is to allow students to develop a greater understanding of the impact of law and legal institutions on society and public policy. Students study the sources and evolution of law, the legal process, and how law functions in a complex social, political, and economic system.

The minor consists of 18 credits. The two required foundation courses introduce legal methodology, including legal analysis, the Socratic method, and case law studies. In addition, students select two courses on specific applications of the law and two courses on the larger social and ethical dimensions of the law. The requirements of the minor should complement and supplement the majors of students with diverse career goals.

Requirements for the Minor in Legal Studies

Group 1: required courses

GBUS 20300

The Legal Environment of Business I

3

GBUS 20400

The Legal Environment of Business II or

3

GBUS 30700

Commercial Law

3

Group 2: applied law electives

Applied law courses teach you the "black letter" law in the particular subject area. The instructors are practicing attorneys with special expertise in this area of law, so you will learn the most recent and relevant aspects of the law.

Select 6 credits from the applied law elective list on the website for legal studies.Legal Studies Website

Total, applied law electives

6

Group 3: social, political, ethical, and cultural electives

These courses provide a unique perspective on the law through an examination of the various social, political, philosophical, and sociological factors that shape the evolution and application of law in our society.

Select 6 credits from the social, political, ethical, and cultural elective list on the website for legal studies.Legal Studies Website